A Centralized-Radio Access Network (RAN) architecture, also known as Cloud-RAN or C-RAN, is garnering attention for its ability to meet all of these needs while supporting mobile xHaul (fronthaul and backhaul), network self-optimization, self-configuration and self-adaptation through self-organizing network functionality (SON).

The Holiday season is over and according to the IBM’s Digital Analytics Benchmark, consumers didn’t just open their wallets, they opened their phones— Mobile sales, whether through a smartphone or a tablet, accounted for over 22 percent of all online sales for the 2014 holiday season.

Global network super vendors have traditionally used their size and reach to deliver economies of scale to global operators that agile, independent and innovative competitors have struggled to compete with.